One more year, I have the opportunity and the pleasure to present the Gold Medals of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, which recognize and reward the work, always outstanding and deserving, of persons or institutions who have markedly encouraged and enriched the cultural, scientific, social and economic ties between the United States, Spain and Latin America.

Tonight we give five prizes for remarkable achievements in the fields of fashion, business, medical research and sport. This time, therefore, we can say that quantity comes together with the highest quality.

Isak Andic is rewarded for his long and brilliant professional career as a great and enterprising businessman, who has lifted his company, Mango, to the highest level of the international textile sector, thus showing the world how good Spanish business management has become.

José Baselga and Joan Massagué are remarkable and well-known researchers in medical sciences, who are making important discoveries which will benefit the whole of humankind.

Through his research into breast cancer, José Baselga has found better and more personalized treatments, which have brought hope and cure to many women worldwide.

Joan Massagué has achieved significant breakthroughs, which have helped to improve treatments designed to amend or neutralize the behaviour of cancer cells, and in this way to prevent them from spreading to other organs.

Diane von Furstenberg is rewarded for her contributions in design as well as her passionate commitment to women worldwide. She has created organizations to empower women by providing them support and business skills. Diane has made an indelible mark as a fashion icon, but also in her advocacy and philanthropy.

Congratulations to all medal winners for their enterprising spirit, tenacity and willpower to help achieve an increasingly fair and exemplary Society.

Thank you also to all supporters of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and its aim to bring together our cultures on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. We are grateful as well to its Chairman, Oscar de la Renta, for his dedication and his successful management at the head of the Institute, which we all acknowledge today.

I would now like to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and have a nice evening.